Switch



May 30, 1933-` R. L.. DASHNER 1,912,068

Filed March i4, 1952 Patented May 30, 1933 UNITED STATES RALPH L. DASBIN'ER, 0F LOGANSPORT, INDIANA SWITCH Application led March 14:,l 1932. Serial No. 598,577.

This invention relates to switches, and more particularly to switches adapted for use with signal lights for vehicles, such as the switches employed for use with stop lights and the like.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, I provide a switch comprising a. switch housing adapted to be mounted in fixed position on a vehicle and operatively associated with the braking means of the vehicle or similar mechanism so that it will be actuated upon operation of the mechanism. The switch is provided with suitable contacts adapted for connection to a signalling circuit, such as a lamp circuit,

or the like, and is effective to close the circuit upon actuation of the braking mechanism.

The contact is established by means of a bridging Contact member carried by a suitable guide member, this member being slidably mounted within the switch housing. The guide member is adapted to be moved within the switch housing by means of an operating member whicheXtends through one wall of the housing and is actuated through suitable connecting means by the brake mechanism.

Resilient means are provided for yieldingly and firmly pressing the bridging contact member into engagement with the switch contacts, and a wiping action across the contacts is obtained through the sliding movement of the plate. The contact produced is effective and is maintained clean.

The switch is normally held out of Contact by the braking, means against the pressure of a spring coiled about the operating member, and upon operation of the braking over and forced into contact with the switch contacts.

The switch housing, the guide member,

r and the associated supporting member for J securing the switch to the vehicle may be means the movable contact member is moved l made from metal stampings, and all of the parts are of simple design and maybe readily assembled. Suitable insulation 'is provided between the parts carrying electrical current and the structural parts of the switch so that none of the operating parts or the switch housing will short circuit the switch.

Other objectsand advantagesI of my invention will appear more fully from the following detailed description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, will disclose to those skilled in the art the particular construction and operation of the preferred form of my invention.

In the drawing;

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the switch as assembled; y

Figure 2 is a perspective view,-partially in section and with the cover removed, of that portion of the switch housing which contains the operating parts of the switch;

- Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional elevational view of the assembled switch; 'and Figure 4 is a sectional elevational view 70 taken substantially on the line 4 4 of Figure 3.

Referring now in more detail to the drawing, I have shown the switch housing indicated generally by the reference numeral 5. This housing may be stamped from 'a suitable metal plate and formed into a rectangular box-like structure by bending up the side walls thereof. The upper marginal edges of the side walls-areprcvided with extending ear members 6', which are adapted to engage over one edge of the cover 7 and elsewhere through suitable slots or apertures formed in the cover.

The cover 7 is in the form of a bracket 85 which may also be formedfrom a single 21.5 insulating sheet 13, and the members 11 are entire structure in the proper position upon the vehicle by means of bolts or other fasteners. It will be noted that the apertures 9 and 10 are so formed vas to facilitate mounting of the switch upon the vehicle in a plurality of positions. The switch may be bolted to the floor boards of the vehicle, or to some other part thereof, and the elongations of the apertures 9 and 1() permit the switch to be shifted laterally to properly position the same. The members 6 engage in the slots provided in the member 7 and over one edge of this member and are bent over to secure the two members rigidly together and in position.

The plate 7 carries the two switch terminals 11, which project therefrom, and are provided with openings 12, which may be internally threaded, if desired, for receiving the conductors or cables comprising the electrical circuit. For example, screws 12 may be provided for securing the ends of the conductors 12" to the terminals 11. The terminal members 11 are mounted upon an secured in non-rotating 4engagement therewith by means of the depressed portions 14, which enter into suitable openings v15 formed in the insulating member 13.

The switch contacts 16 are in the form' of pins or rivet-like members, which extend through the terminals 11 and the insulating sheet 13 and are headed over beneath a second insulating sheet 17 secured to the under side of'the plate member 7 by the contacts 16, the upper ends of which are .headed or riveted over on the tops of the terminals 11. Suitable openings 18 are formed in the plate member 7, and are of such diameter as to space the plate 7 away from the contact members 16 soy that there will be no possibility of the members 16 being short circuited by contact with the plate 7. The lower headed ends of the contact members 16, which are preferably rounded as shown, provide the switch contact points 19, and extend below the plane of the sheet member 17.' The plate '7 rigidly supports the terminal members 11, with their associated switch contacts 16, in rigid and insulated position thereupon.

The switch contact points 19 are adapted to be engaged by the contacting plate 20, preferably formed of brass, copper, or the like, which is carried by the insulating member 21. The member 20 is provided with two downwardly turned ear members 22 which are adapted to engage in suitable slots 23 formed in the insulating member 21, and thus the plate 20 is insulated from any electrical contact with the operating parts of the switch mechanism.

The insulating member 21 is carried in a suitable guide member 24, which member may be `formed from a metal stamping and which is provided with three vertically extending Walls. The two yside Walls of the guide member 24 are provided with cut-out portions adapted to receive cooperating portions of the member 21, these cut-out portions being defined by the post members 25, between which the member 21 is adapted to be moved vertically. A helically coiled spring 26 is biased at one end aganst the lower'surface of the insulating or carrier member 21, and has its other end biased against the base 27 of the guide member 24. This spring serves to press the contacting plate 2Q yieldingly into contact with the two `contacts 19, providing a firm but resilient engagement therewith.

The guide member 24 is also provided with the end wall 28, which extends in a plane normal to the plane of the side walls in which the contacting plate is mounted, andthe end wall is provided with an aperture through which the plunger or operating rod 29 passes. The rod 29 is the operating member and has a grooved end 30 extending through the wall 28 and about which a bifurcated plate member 31 is engaged with the edges of the plate along the bifurcation lying in the groove 30. This member 31 has abutting engagement with the surface of the Wall 28, and forms a suitable means for engagingl the guide collar 'for sliding movement to the left (Figure 3) with the rod or plunger member 29. They other end of the plunger member 29 extends through a suitable bearing 32 formed in the end wall of the switch housing 5. The bearing 32 is provided with the radially flanged bushing 33. This radially anged bushing 33 serves as a seat for one end of a helically coiled spring member 34 which encircles the rod 29 and which is biased at its other end against the outer surface'of the wall 28 of the guide member 24.

The spring 34 normally tends to force the guide member 24 toward the right, and thus establish contact between the plate or bridging contact 2O and the contact points 19 of the switch contacts 16.

The outwardly extending end of the rod 29 is flattened, as at 35, and is provided with a suitable aperture 36 for receiving suitable connecting means 36 for operating the switch. This connecting means may comprise a flexible shaft or cable connected to the braking mechanism of the vehicle, or any similar connecting means which will function to provide sliding movement of the l rod 29 within the switch housing.

In the operation of the switch, the rod 29 is normally pulled outwardly against, the tension of the spring 34 so that the bridging contact plate 20 is away from the contact point-s 19. The normal position of the4 brake pedal serves to tension the shaft 36 and thus prevents any lost motion connection therebetween. Vhen the braking means is applied, or when it is desired to have the indicating means operate, the tension upon the rod 29 is released and the spring 1mmediately forces the guide member 24 to the opposite end of the switch housing, -where the plate 20 comes in Contact with the switch points 19 and closes the circuit.

It is obvious that all of the parts of the switch may be formed from metal stampings or the like, and may be easily assembled in operative position. The entire structure is simple and compact, and is not likely to be damaged when disposed in operative position.

I do not intend to be limited to the exact details shown and described in connection with the preferred embodiment of the switch illustrated, but only insofar as defined by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, a housing, a guide/ slidable in said housing, a pair of contact members, and a bridging contact movable in said guide at generally right angles to the sliding movement of the guide and adapted for bridging said contact members in one position of said guide, said contact being confined within the peripheral extent of said guide.

2. In a device of the class described, a housing, a guide .slidable in said housing, a pair of contact members, a bridging contact movable in said guide at generally right angles to the sliding movement of the guide, and spring means yieldingly pressing said bridging contact into engagement with said contact members in one position of said guide, said bridging contact having universal movement with respect to said guide and being disposed within the peripheral extent of said guide.

3. In a device of the class described, a housing, a guide slidable in said housing, said guide having an open box-like configuration, integral guiding means at the corf ners of said guide, a pair of contact members, a bridging contact fitting into said guide and having means registering with said corner guiding means, said Contact being movable in said guide at generally right angles to the sliding movement of the guide and adapted for bridging said contact members in one position of said guide, spring means urging said guide to a position in which said bridging contact engages" said contact members, and a rod connected to said guide and extending from the housing for moving said guide in the opposite direction. n

4. In a device of the class described, a housing, a movable contact in said housing, contact means for engagement with said movable contact, a spring for urging the movable contact to position for engagement with said contact means, means for moving said movable contact away from the position of engagement with said contact -members comprising an operating rod havin a grooved end extending into a side wal of said movable contact, and a bifurcated plate disposed on the inner side of said wall and engaging said grooved end of said rod.

5. A switch ofthe class described comprising a switch housing, a supporting member secured to said housing, terminal members rigidly secured upon and insulated from said supporting member, switch contacts carried by said supporting member and extending within said housing, a movable contact member within said housing, a guide member for carrying said movable contact member, said contact member having universal movement within the periphery of said guide member, and means extending through said housing and connected to said guide memberfor actuating the same to make and break contact between said movable contact member and said switch contacts.

6. A switch of the class described comprising a switch housing having projecting ears, a supporting lnember having apertures for receiving said ears to secure said member to said housing, contact means carried by said supporting member and insulated therefrom, said means extending through said member into said housin a guide member mounted for lateral sliding movement within said housing, a Contact plate carried by said guide member and insulated therefrom, and means comprising an operating rod extending through and axially movable with respect to said housing engaging said guide member for causing lateral reciprocating movement of said guide member within said housing.

7. A switch of the class described `comprlsing a switch housing, a supporting plate secured thereto, contact means carried by said plate and extending within said housing, a guide member within said housing,

a contact plate carried by said guide member, and means extending into and ,secured to said guide member for causing reciproeating movement of said guide member within said housing. l

8. A switch of the class described comprising a switch housing, a supportingv plate secured thereto, contact means carried by said plate and extending within said housing, a guide member within said housing, a contact plate carried by said guide member, means carried by said guide member for causing vertical movement of said plate, and

means comprising an loperating rod having an end secured within said guide member for causing reciprocatin movement of said guide member within said housing.

9. A switch of the class described comprising a switch housing, a supporting plate secured thereto, contact means carried by said plate and extending within said housing, a guide-member Within said housing, a 'cont-act plate carried by said guide member, integral means on said guide member for restricting lateral movement of said plate with respect to said member and providing for vertical movement of said plate, resilient means carried within said guide member for imparting vertical movement to said contact plate, and means secured within said guide member for causing reciprocating movement of said guide member within said housing.

10. In combination, in a switch housing, a guide member, a Contact plate carried by said guide member, an insulating member supporting said plate and being restricted against lateral movement with respect to said guide member but having vertical movement with respect thereto, resilient means for said contact plate, a plunger member engaging said guide member and having movement within said housing, contact means within said housing, said plunger member normally being urged in a direction to establish contact between said Contact plate and said Contact means.

11. In combination, in a switch housing, a guide member, a contact plate carried by said guide member, said plate being restricted against lateral movement with respect to said guide member, resilient means for said contact plate, a plunger member having a grooved end extending into the guide member and having movement within said housing, securing vmeans for locking said plunger member in position with respect to said guide member, contact means within said housing, and spring means tending to move the guide member in a direction to establish contact between said plate and said contact means, said spring means being disposed about said plunger, and bearing against said housing and against said guide member.

12. In combination, in a switch housing, a. guide member, a contact plate carried by said guide member, an insulating member supporting said plate and being restricted against lateral movement with respect ,to said guide member but having vertical movement with respect thereto, a plunger member engaging said guide member and having movement within said housing, sa id plunger member extending through one wall of said housing, Contact means disposed within said housing, and spring means disposed about said plunger and bearing against said guide member for normally tending to move the guide member in a direction to establish contact between said plate and said contact means. 1

13. In a switch of the class described, a switch housing, a supporting plate secured thereto, contact means carried by said plate and extending within said housing, a guide member slidable in said housing, and hav-l ing upwardly projecting corners, an insulating member disposed within said guide member and having vertical sliding registration with respect to said corners, a contact plate carried by said insulating member, resilient means tending to urge said plate upwardly toward said supporting plate, a plunger member extending through one wall of said housing, said plunger member having a projecting portion extending into said guide member, and means for securing said plunger member to said guide member.

14. In a switch of the class described, a switch housing having a pair of contact members disposed interiorly thereof, a guide member comprising a rectangular pla-te having three upturned edges slidable in said housing, the opposite edges of said member having similar recesses formed centrally thereof, an insulating planar member adapted to have vertical sliding registration with the deiining edges of said recesses, and a bridging contact plate carried by said insulating member and adapted in one position of said guide member to bridge said contact members.

15. A guide member for a switch of the class described comprising a rectangular plate member having three upturned projecting side walls, the opposite side walls of said member having corresponding rclcesses adapted to receive a bridging contact member for vertical sliding movement therein, the other of said side walls having an opening adapted to receive the projecting end of an operating member. 'n

16. In a switch of the class described, operating mechanism comprising a guide member having means for resiliently supporting a contact plate, said member having a vertically extending side wall, an operating rod extending through said wall and having a grooved end, and a bifurcated plate member engaging in said groove for locking said rod with respect to said guide member.

17. In a switch of the class described, operating mechanism comprising a guide member having means for resiliently supporting a contact plate, said member having a vertically extending side wall, an operating rod extending through said wall and having a grooved end, a bifurcated plate member engaging in said groove for locking said rod with respectto said guide member, and a coiled spring extending about said rod and having one end biased against said side wall.

18. A bridging Contact assembly for a pair of spaced contact members comprising a guide member having three vertically extending side walls, two, of said side walls lying in parallel planes and having corresponding recesses formed therein, an insulating member having vertical sliding engagement in said recesses, the opposite ends of said insulating member being slotted, and a contact plate carried by salcl` insulating member and having down-turned tongues engaging in the slotted portions of said insulating member.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this ll da of March, 1932.

RA PH L. DASHNER. 

